Miner fined $80K over waterways pollution near Herberton in far north Qld

By Renee Cluff
Fri 13 Sep 2013, 9:00 AM AEST

A mining company has been fined $80,000 for polluting a number of far north Queensland waterways.

Baal Gammon Copper was charged with offences including contravening an environmental protection order, after flooding at its mine site near Herberton, south-west of Cairns, caused a dam to start seeping water into Jamie Creek and Walsh River.

High levels of heavy metals, including cadmium, copper and arsenic, were detected in the waterways and residents were told not to drink it or use it for stock.

The mine's owner, Kagara Limited, which is in voluntary administration, has also been charged over the incident and is due to appear in court next month.